The Chief set for triumphant Elland Road return?

Lucas Radebe could be set for a spectaculor return to Elland Road as a youth team coach as the former Leeds United defender and all-time great looks to take his coaching badges and make a return to football.

Lucas remains a hero at Elland Road and his name is still chanted both home and away to this day. When he retired back in 2005, many hoped Lucas would stay on in a non-playing role at the club but he decided to return home to his native South Africa where he has used his wealth and status to help various charities.

The rumour says that Lucas, now 40 has held talks with Ken Bates and is eager to return to Elland Road where he spent 11 years, making 200 league appearences for the club. One stumbling block may be the Chief’s children who are currently at school in Johannesburg. It’s thought Lucas is reluctant to move them at the minute so this could delay any return.

Lucas is currently working as an ambassador for the England 2018 World Cup bid after returning to Leeds in 2008. Since his retirement Radebe has lost his wife, Faziwe to cancer and has suffered health problems of his own after collapsing in a gym back in December last year.

Obviously any return is great news for all the fans at Leeds United. Radebe remains my all-time favourite player and it goes without saying that the Leeds fans love him. The mans a God to this club and I’d love to see him return in a coaching role. His experience, influence and love of the game can only be a good thing for developing players. Sign him up Ken!

Pictured above is Lucas Radebe meeting some lesser mortals, namely Nelson Mandela (who once claimed Radebe was his hero) and some American player called David Beckham (who?).

Completely agree, the guys a legend. For me if not for his injuries, hed have been accepted by the rest of the world as the best Centre back of his time. Only maybe Des Walker in his prime was close but Radebe had the whole range of skills. A truly great man off the pitch as well.

However on the rumoured job offer I have a small issue. I think modern football management is a team effort with one man in control of who that team is, the manager. If Grayson doesn’t want him because he is happy with what he has got then that should be that, Lucas or not! Just my humble on this.

Met him myself (twice actually) and the mans an absolute inspiration. Met quite a few players from years past, but none of them ever had the same aura as the Chief. He made time to talk to ever fan in the room that day, signed autographs, posed for pictures and was a real pleasure to meet.

Long live the Chief!

Pingback: The morning after « Armchair White()

Ian McShane

It would be truly fantastic to have Lucas back in any capacity,he’s my favourite Leeds Utd player ever closely followed by David Batty and Nigel Martin.